Electric Chair Sweep

What This Is

The electric chair sweep is a half guard sweep executed from the lockdown position, in which the bottom player uses their interlocked legs to extend the top player’s far leg outward — leveraging the top player over their own leg. The lockdown (a figure-four leg entanglement around the top player’s near leg) provides the platform; the electric chair sweep is the sweeping application of that platform.

From the lockdown, the bottom player initiates the sweep by extending their far leg (the leg on the outside of the lockdown figure-four) outward and downward, pushing the top player’s far leg with it. This extension levers the top player’s hips upward and to the far side, tipping them over their own far leg. The sweep is named in the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system after the electric chair submission — a groin stretch applied from the same platform — though the two techniques are mechanically distinct: the sweep tips the top player over a leg, while the submission stretches the groin with the same leg-extending motion.

Note on the electric chair submission: The electric chair submission (a groin/adductor stretch) is a separate technique applied from the same lockdown position. They share the lockdown entry and the far leg extension mechanic, but the sweep’s goal is sweeping the top player to their back while the submission applies a hold to stretch the groin. See the electric chair submission page for the submission application.

The Invariable in Action

The lockdown prevents the top player from stepping their near leg out to base — the figure-four entanglement holds it in place. When the far leg extension then pushes the top player’s far leg outward, the top player has no base on either side: the near leg is trapped, the far leg is being extended away. With no stable base, the top player is structurally destabilised and tips to the far side.

The lockdown’s figure-four grip on the near leg acts as the fulcrum. The bottom player’s far leg extension applies force at the top player’s far leg — a long distance from the fulcrum. This creates significant mechanical advantage: a relatively small extension force at the end of the lever (far leg) generates a large tipping force at the fulcrum (near leg). The top player cannot resist with hip strength alone because the extension lever is too long.

Setup and Entry

From Lockdown Half Guard

The primary entry. The bottom player is in half guard with the lockdown established — the near leg wraps over the top player’s near leg (figure-four or reinforced hook). The bottom player’s far leg is on the outside of the entanglement. From this position, the bottom player underhooks the top player’s far leg with the far arm — reaching under and behind the top player’s far thigh. With the arm underhook on the far leg and the lockdown controlling the near leg, the electric chair sweep is set up.

From Old School / Under-Scoot Entry

A secondary entry from the 10th Planet system. From lockdown, the bottom player performs an under-scoot motion — pushing forward under the top player to create space — and establishes the far leg underhook in motion. The under-scoot changes the angle before the sweep is applied, making the extension direction more effective.

Execution

Step 1 — Lockdown established. Confirm the lockdown figure-four is tight. The near leg must be fully controlled — no step-out available to the top player. A loose lockdown will fail to anchor the near leg during the sweep extension.

Step 2 — Far leg underhook. The far arm reaches under the top player’s far leg and grips — the forearm contacts the back of the thigh, the hand grips the leg or mat. This arm connection is the second control point that will push the far leg outward during the sweep.

Step 3 — Far leg extension outward. The far leg (outside the lockdown) extends — pushing the top player’s far leg outward and downward. Simultaneously, the far arm pushes the far thigh in the same direction. The two forces (far leg push + far arm push) combined with the lockdown anchor on the near leg lever the top player’s hips upward and to the far side.

Step 4 — Follow to top position. As the top player tips over their far leg, the lockdown releases and the bottom player follows to top position. Typical landing is half guard top or back take position depending on how the top player rolls.

Common Errors — and Why They Fail

Error: Loose lockdown — top player can post the near foot during the extension. Why it fails: If the lockdown is loose, the top player can step the near foot out as the extension begins, posting it and stopping the sweep. The lockdown must hold the near leg completely immobile during the extension phase. Correction: Tighten the lockdown before initiating the sweep. If the lockdown feels loose, re-establish it before attempting the extension.

Error: Extension goes backward rather than outward. Why it fails: A backward extension (pulling the far leg toward the bottom player’s body) stretches the groin rather than levering the top player over their leg — this creates the electric chair submission position rather than the sweep. The sweep direction is outward and away from the bottom player. Correction: The far leg and far arm both push outward — away from the bottom player, not toward them. Think of pushing the top player’s far leg away from their own body, not toward yours.

Error: No far arm underhook — using only the leg extension without arm assistance. Why it fails: The far leg extension alone generates force from the lower body. Without the far arm underhook assisting, the extension force is weaker and the top player’s far leg can resist by bracing. The arm underhook adds upper body drive to the extension. Correction: Establish the far arm underhook before extending. Both the far leg and far arm push outward together.

Drilling Notes

Systematic Approach

Phase 1 — lockdown quality. With cooperative partner in top half guard, establish the lockdown and have them try to step their near foot free. If they can, adjust the lockdown. Drill the lockdown alone until it is reliably tight before adding the sweep.

Phase 2 — far leg underhook. With lockdown established, reach the far arm under the top player’s far leg and grip. Do not sweep yet — just identify the arm position and confirm the underhook is behind the thigh.

Phase 3 — extension direction. Apply the far leg extension outward slowly. Partner should feel upward hip pressure (not backward). Confirm the direction is outward before adding speed.

Phase 4 — full sweep. Complete the lockdown → underhook → extension → follow sequence at controlled speed. Partner can prepare to roll safely as the sweep tips them over.

Ability Level Guidance

Also Known As

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